Dialog: Properties – External File

Function: The properties of the selected object (type “External File ” ) are displayed in this dialog. The properties were initially set when the object was added to the device tree or pool and can be adjusted here in this properties dialog.

Call: “View Properties” command; context menu of the object

Requirement: In the “Devices” view or “POUs” view, an object of type “External File” is selected.

For more information see: ⮫ “Object: External File ”

“File Handling”	Determines how the external file is saved in the CODESYS project
“Remember the link”	: The file link which points to the external file in the Windows file system is saved. Note: Access via the file link will fail if the external location of the file changes. The file is available in the project only as long as it exists in the defined storage location.
“Remember the link and embed into project”	: The file link which points to the external file in the Windows file system is saved. Additionally, to increase security, a copy of the file is stored in the project. Note about behavior on access: The copy in the project is accessed only if the access via the link fails. If the external file changes, then the copy is handled according to the option selected under “When the external file changes, then”.
“Embed into project”	: A copy of the external file is saved in the Windows file system. Note: The copy is always accessed. If the external file changes, then the project-internal copy will not be updated.

“When the external file changes, then”	Type of update for the copy saved in the project for which a file link was saved at the same time Requirement: The “Remember the link and embed into project” option is selected.
“Reload the file automatically”	: If the external file changes, then the copy stored in the project is updated.
“Prompt whether to reload the file”	: If the external file changes, then a dialog prompt opens for you to decide whether or not the copy should be updated in the project.
“Do nothing”	: Although the external file changes, the copy in the project remains unchanged.

“Linked File”

Information about the file link saved in the project

Requirement: Either the “Remember the link” option or the “Remember the link and embed into project” option is selected.

“Name”, “Location”, “Size”, “Changed”

Information about the file link

Button: “Display File Properties”

Opens the default “Properties of <file name>” dialog of the external file in the Windows file system

This dialog is identical with the “Properties” dialog which can be opened in Windows from the context menu of the file.

“Embedded File”

Information about the copy saved in the project

Requirement: Either the “Remember the link and embed into project” option or the “Embed into project” option is selected.

“Size”, “Changed”

Information about the copy (embedded file)

“Update the embedded file”

: If the external file has changed, then the copy embedded in the project is updated.

“Online handling”

Handling of the file in online mode

“Transfer with Download/Online Change”

: When a download and online change takes place, the external file is downloaded to the controller and stored in the “Target path”.

“Target path (relative to "$PlcLogic$" on the device)”

The target path can be specified in the following way:

For the ‎$PlcLogic$‎ root directory: Leave the input field blank
Individual folders (not available yet) in the root directory

Example: ‎MySubDirectory‎
Folder of the application (below ‎$PlcLogic$‎)

Example for the "App123" application: ‎App123‎
Nested folder structure below the application folder

Example: ‎App123/Sub01/SubSub01‎
Using another available placeholder

Example for the visualization: ‎$visu$‎

NOTE:

When using available paths, pay attention to uppercase and lowercase.

Button “OK”

Applies the settings for the object